Knowing your Sources
Understanding the different types of information for academic work
Content & learning objectives
In this lesson, you’ll explore some basic questions that everyone should be aware of when trying to source good quality, reliable information in order to make judgements, decisions, and produce academic work such as essays and literature reviews.
This lesson was developed by the University of Manchester as part of its award-winning ‘My Learning Essentials‘ initiative and hence follows their style for layout and design.
The materials are released publicly under a Creative Commons license which encourages re-use by others.
Resources for learners, trainers, and developers
Are there badges available for this topic?
No. Not yet. These materials are provided by an independent source/project/institution. However, we plan to develop a badge based on completion of the lesson plus a short assessment. Visit back again soon.
How can we run a workshop or classroom session on this topic?
Typically, these and related topics are covered in workshops and training sessions provided by your local institutional library.
Activities for this particular subject could include pair, or group, work looking at a range of sample materials. Most effective, would be examples which require some considerable ‘dtective work’ in order to properly assess and which lead to discussion and debate.
Are there resources and materials available?
Yes. We have collated some useful links for you (opposite) but you will also find resources at the original website of My Learning Essentials
Can I download a copy of this interactive lesson?
Yes. The University of Manchester Library makes these available for download, re-use, and adaptation. For information visit: My Learning Essentials.
Further information & useful links:
Downloadable pdf of key content of the lesson: http://www.library.manchester.ac.uk/using-the-library/students/training-and-skills-support/my-learning-essentials/online-resources/
Harvard’s guide to evaluating sources : http://isites.harvard.edu/icb/icb.do?keyword=k70847&tabgroupid=icb.tabgroup107786
UCD Library guide to evaluating sources of information on the Web: https://www.ucd.ie/library/supporting_you/support_learning/evaluate_info/
“Truth, lies, and the internet: a report into young people’s digital fluency” Demos (UK), 2011: https://www.demos.co.uk/files/Truth_-_web.pdf